We often hear of people being self-conscious This trait of thought is usually something one would like to get rid of, something that restricts or limits one's individual capabilities. Let us examine, however, our true self, our real identity. In other words, let us become conscious of the real man, the man of God's creating. In Genesis we read (1:27), "God created man in his own image." From this it follows that to know more of our own selfhood or individuality, we must know more of God. We can know no more of God's creation than we know of Him as creator. If we wish to become conscious of the truth of our own identity, then we must first seek the truth of God.
In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy gives the following synonyms for God: Mind, Spirit, Soul, Life, Truth, Principle, Love. Prayerful study of each of these synonyms will reveal a fuller concept of the creator and consequently give one a more complete understanding of man—not mortal man, confused in a self-constituted individuality, but spiritual man, who possesses by reflection infinite individuality.
We learn from the Bible that God is Spirit, and we read in Science and Health (p. 477), "Identity is the reflection of Spirit, the reflection in multifarious forms of the living Principle, Love." As we begin to see man's real being as spiritual and claim this identity for ourselves and others, we become much less conscious of a false sense of self as physical personality.
